Monday, September 26, 2011

Grammy winner Chubby Carrier entertains Friday at Music & Market

Music & Market in Opelousas continues Friday, Sept. 30 with the sounds of Grammy award-winner Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Farmer’s Market in Le Vieux Village, just on exit 19B at I-40. Music begins at 6 p.m.

Born in Church Point, Carrier is the third generation of zydeco artists with such famous relatives as Roy Carrier (father), Warren Carrier (grandfather), and cousins Bebe and Calvin Carrier who are presently considered legends in Creole and zydeco music history.

Chubby Carrier

Carrier began his musical career at the age of 12 by playing drums with his father's band. By the time he was 17, he had started to play with Terrance Simien, before forming his own band in 1989.

The Bayou Swamp Band has recorded five CDs over the past 10 years. The band has traveled all over the world, performing to audiences in all parts of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, Canada, North Africa and Europe.

Carrier and band are the winners of the Best Zydeco and Cajun Music Album category of the 53rd annual Grammy award for the CD, “Zydeco Junkie. “

Eggplant is the featured vegetable at Friday’s Music & Market. Concert-goers are welcome to bring lawn chairs for seating. Because beverages sales for the concert series go towards covering the cost of bands and event expenses, ice chests will not be allowed. The event is held at the Farmer’s Market Pavilion located at 828 East Landry St. on the grounds of the Opelousas Tourist Center.

The fall series is made possible with the support of Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino, CLECO, Walmart Supercenter, American Bank, St. Landry Homestead Bank, Centerpoint Energy, Tony Chachere’s Creole Foods, Quik Quarter, Delta Media Network, St. Landry Parish Government.

For more information or to find out about vendor opportunities, contact City of Opelousas Tourism Office at 337-948-5227 or 337-948-6263 or visit www.cityofopelousas.com.